Meanwhile, dogs that were adopted from the facility at 6219 FM 1128 in the past three to four weeks may have been exposed to the airborne viral disease, said Dr. Cara Campbell of Westside Veterinary Hospital in Pearland.

"I think they will be out of the woods in three to four weeks, if they're not showing clinical signs," said Campbell, who treated dogs at the facility on Nov. 30 but had not been previously involved with the organization.

Tinnin, who spent some time in the hospital in November, asked for help Nov. 23 from a Kemah rescue group, Triumphant Tails.

After responding, Triumphant Tails asked another rescue group, Second Chance in the Clear Lake area, for backup, said Second Chance volunteer Jennifer Maxwell.

Triumphant Tails representatives arrived Nov. 23 at the shelter and found multiple dogs in each kennel designed for one, Maxwell said.

One dog died while volunteers were cleaning, she said.

Others died during the week of Nov. 25, Maxwell said.

"Some just passed away during the night," she said. "Once we started seeing sick dogs, we took them into the vet, and several were euthanized."

Maxwell said the volunteers don't have an official count of how many dogs have died or been euthanized. The shelter staff's last day to work was Nov. 24.

As of Monday, about 80 dogs remained at the shelter, Maxwell said. More volunteers are greatly needed, she said.

Those who help in the kennel area, especially if they have animals, should wear boots and be prepared to disinfect their clothing when they get home, Maxwell said.

There are also non-contact chores like answering the phone, she said.

The organization also needs cash to continue renting the facility until it can be closed and to pay for electricity.